Not an expert on jeans, but very few women would wear a tight fitting pants (of any kind )without washing them for months.

Just do it.

I wonder about that "expert" - LOL. Can you imagine all that dead skin and sweat build up on the jeans from all the wearing and no washing? Yuck.

I take jeans on trips. I can wear them more times than other pants, so they are nice that way. And I usually send clothes out to be washed or wash them at a self-wash place unless we have a washer in an apartment. Even without a dryer, with a good spin, jeans dry in a day. Put them by a window or a heater and they dry overnight. I only handwash bras and panties, and maybe tees and camisoles.

"BTW, most jeans "experts" advise washing your jeans very rarely - perhaps every 6 months to a year, so the drying issue may be moot. The usually advice is to hang them up to air out after wearing and leave it at that."


You don't even have to hang them, they stand up all by themselves.

Do not ask how I know this.

Hey Nikki, any chance you'll be in Paris start of October next year?

Not that I know of. Why, do you want to see my jeans stand up?

hmmm, Nikki's jeans standing on their own, can't wait to read that trip report!

Nah, there's a Fodors group converging on and convening in Paris in the 1st week of Oct. Amwosu is the ringleader. I plan to be there, if humanly possible.

Bringing dark jeans this November (northern Italy) for the first time -- previously it's always been too hot when I've traveled. They are actually a newer, softer brand (NYDY) than I've tried before and they might even be comfy enough for the plane. Also lightweight/not too heavy.

For shoes, for me it's always Paul Green black walking shoes (slip on) and this year, boots.

Can I wear a jean jacket in Paris? I look pretty good in them.

"Can I wear a jean jacket in Paris? I look pretty good in them."

As long as it is acid-wash.

"you don't even have to hang them they stand up by themselves"

Sounds like my old convent dress.

<i>As long as it is acid-wash.</i>

Don't laugh. The '80s are back in much of Europe.

Good news and bad news. My acid-wash jean jacket is from the 80s. The bad news - I can't get the buttons within 8 inches of the button holes.

I don't understand why we think we must look like the "local"...I wonder if Europeans feel they must blend in with us when they visit the US. We are tourists, so be it. Just wear nice, comfortable clothing. Remember, you are not the focus of other people's attention. Wear the most comfortable shoes you have since you will be doing alot of walking. Jeans are fine, as are nice black yoga pants, which actually travel really well and are inexpensive. They are so comfortable on the plane and do not wrinkle. If you wear a shirt over the pants, no one will know that there is an elastic waist band. Just go and enjoy.

colduphere- Don't you just hate it when your clothes shrink?

I was just in Vienna, Salzburg and Prague. Everyone is wearing jeans if not something more outrageous. Wear a comfortable walking shoe - I would recommend Black but everything seemed to be acceptable. In the last couple of years I was in Paris, Copenhagen and Brussels and the same holds true there. Just behave like you would in any city and you will be fine. The loud, drunk, boisterous tourist is the one that stands out.

I think you won't have problems dressed in jeans and sneakers. Just don't wear any expensive jewelry that may be noticeable to potential thieves..ALSO, avoid any type of shoulder bags, including knap sacks and place your wallet in a purse with straps on it put the strap around your neck underneath your clothing. Why am I saying all this? Because when we were in Paris in summer 2010, my husband nearly got pickpocketed by a young girl as we were getting on the subway. She had her eyes on my husband's large bag he had on his shoulder. A man came right after her and caught her about to execute her crime so in the end, my husband didn't get robbed!

<i>I wonder if Europeans feel they must blend in with us when they visit the US.</i>

I have never heard of a single European (or anyone from any other continent) wanting to blend in with the locals on such a trip. That might be considered to be a compliment, though -- it would imply that they consider the US to be a welcoming country. Unfortunately, most visitors change their mind at the airport when they face the immigration officers.

Before i went to Spain, i read many posts here about having to dress up or not be served at restaurants. Shorts and tennis shoes and a clean shirt will do fine. I doubt any restaurant in any European city will deny service to a tourist unless he is wearing flip flops with no shirt or something. Tourists bring in money for them, so i wouldn't worry about having to wear dress shoes/pants anywhere. Jeans, shorts, shirt, and tennis shoes will do fine.